Cover for stovetop mounted in counter

ABSTRACT

A cover for a stovetop, which is mounted in a counter, having a flat member and a peripheral side member depending therefrom with first and second handles formed in the depending peripheral side member. The cover is made of metal, plastic or ceramic material for decorative purposes, entertaining and/or additional counter space.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cover for stovetops that are mounted within countertops. More particularly the present invention relates to a decorative cover for a stovetop mounted within a countertop for creation of additional counter space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many stovetops are mounted in or adjacent counters. The stovetops take up valuable counter space and can be unattractive. The space taken by stovetops could be used for counter space for working and/or for entertaining.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An advantage of the present invention is that it increases counter space.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it may be put over any stovetop and can be put away when not in use.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it is decorative.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it the cover may be coated for decorative purposes or to color match other parts of the kitchen.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the present invention is designed for stovetops in counters.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the cover provides a means of limiting access to knobs and other stove top controls by children and the like.

Still another advantage of the present invention is that the present invention may be easily and economically manufactured.

Briefly and basically the present invention is a stovetop mounted within a counter covered by a cover which has a flat member having a flat surface made of nonflammable material and a side member depending from a periphery of said flat member. The side member may be supported preferably on a periphery of said stovetop or alternatively on the counter around the periphery of the stovetop. The cover has at least a first and a second handle formed in the depending member in the form of two openings located in the depending member opposite each other. Together these form a decorative stovetop cover wherein an upper surface may be utilized as additional counter space. The flat member can be rectangular, square, round, irregular, polygonal, or ellipsoidal in shape.

The stovetop cover can be made of metal, heat resistant plastic or ceramic material.

A preferred embodiment is to manufacture the stovetop cover from pressed stainless steel or aluminum with a rectangular shape to cover all of the burners of the stovetop as well as the knobs and controls. The height should be sufficient to clear all burners and control knobs and other features of the stovetop and provide adequate clearance for the handles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a view, partially broken away, in perspective of a stovetop mounted within a countertop covered by the stovetop cover of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view, partially broken away, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view, partially broken away, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of an embodiment of the stovetop cover in which it is round in plan view.

FIG. 5 is a view in perspective of an embodiment of the stovetop cover in which it is oval in plan view.

FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of an embodiment of the stovetop cover in which it is polygonal in plan view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a stovetop 10 mounted within a counter 12. The stovetop shown is gas operated but the invention encompasses all stovetop types including but not limited to electric, gas, glass flattop grills and other types. Stovetop 10 and its control knobs 14 are covered by rectangular stovetop cover 17 wherein all burners 18 may be covered thereby preventing the stovetop from inadvertent or unwanted turning on i.e. by children. The cover 17 has a flat member 20 having a flat surface and a side member 22 depending from a periphery of flat member 20. Side member 22 is supported on the outer edge 24 of the stovetop 10 around the periphery of stovetop 10. Alternatively side member 22 can be supported on counter 12 around a periphery of stovetop 10. A preferred embodiment of the stovetop cover is made of a metal such as, but not limited to, stainless steel or aluminum. The stovetop cover can also be coated for color matching or decorative purposes. Optionally, the lower end of side member 22 may be provided with rubber or resilient feet (not shown) which would prevent any possibility of scratching of the stove top surface and prevent any possible movement of the cover. Side member 22 has long sections 25 and 27 which are longer and in a preferred standard embodiment the length would be approximately 27.5 inches or to fit the shape of the stovetop. Stovetop cover 17 has sides 29 and 31 that are shorter and in a preferred standard embodiment the length would be approximately 19.5 inches, or to fit the shorter sides of the stovetop. In a preferred standard embodiment the stovetop cover has a height 11 of approximately 1.5 inches. However it is understood that other heights, lengths and widths may be used. Stovetop cover 17 also has a first and a second handle 32, 34 in the form of two openings located approximately in the middle of depending member sections 29 and 31 opposite each other. These handles are formed in depending member sections 29 and 31 in approximately the center of sides 29 and 31 and at or close to the bottom edge 35. Together these form a decorative stovetop cover wherein an upper flat surface may be utilized as additional counter space. The flat member may be rectangular as in the currently shown embodiment or may also be square, round as shown in FIG. 4, polygonal as shown in FIG. 6 or ellipsoidal as shown in FIG. 5 or irregular in shape.

In FIG. 4 the stovetop cover's flat member 37 is round and its handles 70 and 71 are across from each other.

In FIG. 5 the stovetop cover's flat member 38 is ellipsoidal and the handles 74 and 75 are across from each other.

In FIG. 6 the stovetop cover's flat member 41 is octagonal with a depending side 42. Depending side 42 has two long sides 47 and 49 and two short sides 43 and 45 that are perpendicular to the long sides. Depending side 42 also has four sides 50, 51, 52, 53 positioned at approximately 45 degree angles to each section aforementioned. This is just one polygon embodiment and it is known that any polygon or shape may be acceptable for the flat section. The handles 54 and 55 are positioned near the center of depending sides 47 and 49, respectively, but as in all embodiments could be placed on other depending sides and places on these sides if deemed more suitable. Also in all embodiments the handles may be a hole completely surrounded by material of the stovetop cover or a cutout as shown in the figures. There may also be more than two handles on any embodiment.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention. 

1. An apparatus, comprising: a stovetop mounted within a counter; a flat member having a flat surface made of nonflammable material; a side member depending from a periphery of said flat member made of a nonflammable material; said side member being supported on a surface around the periphery of said stovetop; a first and a second handle formed in said depending member in the form of two openings located in said depending member opposite each other; wherein said flat surface of said flat member and said depending side member form a decorative stovetop cover; and wherein an upper surface of said flat member may be utilized as additional counter space.
 2. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flat member is rectangular in shape.
 3. An apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said flat member is square in shape.
 4. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flat member is round in shape.
 5. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flat member is irregular in shape.
 6. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flat member is polygonal in shape.
 7. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said flat member is ellipsoidal in shape.
 8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said stovetop cover is made of metal.
 9. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said stovetop cover is made of heat resistant plastic.
 10. An apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the stovetop cover is made of ceramic material. 